New Mariya Nagao photo book inspired by tourism boom in Japan

Mariya Nagao is one of the few former AKB48 idols to maintain a successful career in modeling and gravure for the many years since her departure from the group.

Unlike the likes of Haruna Kojima (now also an entrepreneur) or Atsuko Maeda (a serious actor), however, she hasn’t diversified per se, instead relying largely on photo books and shoots to earn a living (though she also does some acting and produces an idol group).

It helps that she has a slinky body and has regularly teased nude glimpses of it in her photo books over the years.

So far, she’s limited the nudity to her butt and side boob, but that might change in her new photo book or a future publication.

The 31-year-old’s latest release, Mariyagi Tourism, comes out on July 17 from Wani Books and has an intriguing theme: “rediscovering a wonderful Japan through foreign eyes.” With the huge uptick in tourist numbers arriving in Japan year by year, Mariya has taken inspiration from the cultural encounters and sightseeing that involves.

As such, the model is seen at various famous tourist sights like Scramble Crossing in Shibuya or Akihabara as well as an old bathhouse. The shoot also included “that pool” — the famous swimming pool featured so prominently in porn shoots that it has become one of the most iconic places in Japan.

Other classic motifs that appear include Tokyo Tower, a love hotel, and even sex dolls. Mariya’s sixth photo book is nothing if not inventive and provocative.

No information is provided in the publicity but one of the preview images suggests that the photo book is at least semi-nude with her modesty protected by just a well-placed piece of furniture. We would love to see a nude shoot with Mariya in a love hotel playing around with a Japanese sex doll!

Here is a translation of her official comment in the publicity.

I’m very happy about my sixth photo book! I really owe it all to everyone, I’m grateful. The theme this time is tourism. Currently, more people are coming to Tokyo for sightseeing, and I thought it was a mismatch to see tourists gathering in typically Japanese places, but then I thought that would make them even more beautiful and wonderful, so I came up with using this as a concept for a new photo book. I’m taking photos in unique and eccentric fashion in places that are unique to Tokyo, such as Scramble Crossing, a public bath, Tokyo Tower, and Akihabara game centers!

It’s actually been more than 10 years since I started doing gravure photos, but I realized that there are beautiful places so close to me. I’ve visited many places for gravure shoots, of course, but most of the locations for this photo book were places where I was photographed for the first time. I want people all over Japan and the world to see gravure, which is also Japanese culture, and think it’s beautiful!

Indeed, we certainly agree that gravure is a vital part of Japanese soft power. Isn’t it about time we got a government subsidy for running this blog and promoting gravure to the world?!